federal prosecutor position secured by Jeanine Pirro, a former Fox News host - U.S. appoints Jeanine Pirro, ex-Fox News host, as Attorney
Jeanine Pirro, a former judge and legal commentator, has been confirmed as the U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia by the U.S. Senate. The appointment, made by President Donald Trump in August 2025, marks a significant shift in Pirro's career, which began in 2006 with Fox News.
Pirro, known for her outspoken conservative views, served as a judge and District Attorney in Westchester County, New York, before joining Fox News. She hosted shows such as "Justice with Judge Jeanine" and co-hosted "The Five."
However, Pirro's appointment was not without controversy. During her time at Fox News, she promoted false claims of election fraud regarding the 2020 U.S. presidential election, leading to her being named in the Dominion Voting Systems defamation lawsuit against Fox News. The lawsuit was ultimately settled for $787.5 million, and Fox News had to publicly acknowledge that the broadcast statements about Dominion were false.
Additionally, Senate Democrats criticized Pirro for amplifying Trump's unfounded election fraud claims and defending him after the January 6 Capitol riot, expressing concerns that she would prioritize political loyalties over impartial justice in her role as U.S. Attorney.
Despite the controversy, Pirro's confirmation vote was relatively close, passing 50-45 in the Senate. Her appointment is part of a trend of former Fox News personalities being appointed to key government positions by the president. Notably, her ex-husband, Albert Pirro, was pardoned by Trump in the final minutes of his first term, adding to the contentiousness around her appointment.
Pirro joins a lineup of former Fox News hosts who have been appointed to influential positions by the president, including former Defense Minister Pete Hegseth and former Transportation Minister Sean Duffy. Trump praised Pirro as "a cut above the rest."
As the U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia, Pirro will be responsible for prosecuting federal crimes in the district, including those related to the government and its officials. Her controversial past and political views have raised questions about her impartiality and ability to carry out this role effectively. However, only time will tell how Pirro's tenure will unfold.
- Jeanine Pirro, now serving as the U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia, has faced criticisms for her past promotion of war-and-conflicts related false claims, such as election fraud allegations.
- Despite her history of controversial policy-and-legislation stances, including her outspoken support for U.S. President Donald Trump, Pirro's appointment as U.S. Attorney reflects the president's trend of appointing former Fox News personnel to key positions.
- As a former anchor on Fox News, Jeanine Pirro faces a challenge in her new role as U.S. Attorney, with concerns raised about her impartiality in crime-and-justice matters, given her political background and past comments on general-news issues, including politics.
